UAlbany men use strong rebounding to top Hartford

Greig Stire ties single-game rebounding record in victory

Before Greig Stire finishes his basketball career at UAlbany, he is going to get 20 rebounds in a game. That was the prediction made by his teammate, Joe Cremo.

While Cremo was playing Nostradamus in the interview room at Chase Family Arena Saturday night, Stire just rolled his eyes. All was good in the world of the Danes after they defeated Hartford 74-61 and, in the process, evened their America East Conference record at 4-4 (overall, UAlbany is 13-10).

Stire yanked down 15 rebounds, tying a record accomplished by Sam Rowley (he did it twice, in 2015 and 2013), Blake Metcalf (2012) and Dave Schloss (2000).

The Danes dominated the boards, holding a 44-29 advantage over the Hawks. Stire had six rebounds on the offensive end.

"Greig is relentless," UAlbany coach Will Brown said. "He is not going to let anyone get that ball. He really is a big, strong guy."

Stire had no idea he was creeping close to a record. Brown didn't either, as he took Stire out of the game with 54 seconds left and the Danes holding a 72-61 lead. Brown didn't take him out to rest Stire; he wanted to put his best ball handlers into the game even though it looked like the Danes were home free.

Stire was back in the game with 41 seconds left, but didn't get the record-breaking rebound.

"When there is time on the clock, anything can happen," Brown said. "I got the Stony Brook shakes."

Brown was referring to a game earlier this season when UAlbany blew a 21-point lead in the final seven minutes and lost to Stony Brook, 72-70.

The Danes were in control of this one for most of the night. They never trailed in the second half and led by as many as 20 points.

Stire was not going to get too excited about his record because he looks at rebounding as his job. If he does his job, the Danes should be in a good position to win.

"I think a lot of them just kind of fell into my hands," Stire said of his big night on the glass.

Hartford (6-17, 1-7) lost for the ninth time in 10 games. The Hawks had no one who could battle up front with Stire, especially when 6-foot-10, 285-pound Hassan Attia was limited to 23 minutes because of foul trouble.

"In all the games I watched, Stire was very impressive," Hartford coach John Gallagher said. "We got pushed around by him. He knows who he is and what he does for them."

UAlbany now heads into the second half of its conference season. After starting it with an 0-3 record, the Danes rebounded to win four of the next five. But there is still no satisfaction.

Cremo, who led the way with 20 points (the 10th time this season he has eclipsed that mark), said the Danes are still burning a little bit about the slow start. There was frustration last Wednesday when the Danes lost to Vermont at home and then two players — David Nichols and Travis Charles — had words with each other as they left the court.

"We still got a long ways to go," Cremo said. "No one is too happy that we are 4-4."